Paint filter

Abstract

Paint filter (1) for filtering contaminated paint removed from a paint brush or paint roller, the paint filter comprising at least one side wall (2) configured to at least partially enclose an inner space (3) for receiving and accommodating contaminated paint, wherein the paint filter comprises an upper end (4) and a lower end (5), wherein at the upper end the paint filter, in particular the at least one side wall, comprises an upper edge configured to define at least partially an upper end opening for allowing the contaminated paint to enter the inner space, and wherein the paint filter comprises a mesh filter (9) located between the upper end and the lower end.

Description

[0001] Title: Paint filter

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a paint filter for filtering contaminated paint removed from a paint brush or paint roller and to a corresponding method. The present invention further relates to a combination of a filter holder and a paint filter, and to an assembly comprising a paint container and a paint filter. The present invention yet further relates to a blank for manufacturing a paint filter.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Buildings require maintenance. A major part of maintaining buildings involves painting of door frames, doors, window frames or other parts. Painting is usually done with a paint brush or paint roller. During painting it often happens that the freshly painted surface has small particles of dirt on or in the paint layer. This can for example be due to the wind or because of accumulated dirt on the paint brush or paint roller. When painting outside examples of dirt can be small grains of sand, soil or small insects. The dirt negatively affects the visual appearance of the painted surface. In particular when using high gloss lacquer paints, every unevenness of the painted surface will be immediately noticeable.

[0006] For a good finishing result, the painter will therefore have to remove the dirt from the layer of paint. This is time consuming and therefore cost consuming in the case of professional painters. A worst case scenario is a complete refinishing of the painted surface, which includes sanding the ‘dirty’ paint layer and repainting.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] To better address one or more of these concerns, a paint filter is provided for filtering contaminated paint removed from a paint brush or paint roller, the paint filter comprising: at least one side wall configured to at least partially enclose an inner space for receiving and accommodating contaminated paint, wherein the paint filter comprises an upper end and a lower end, wherein at the upper end the paint filter, in particular the at least one side wall, comprises an upper edge configured to define at least partially an upper end opening for allowing the contaminated paint to enter the inner space, and wherein the paint filter comprises a mesh filter located between the upper end and the lower end. During painting a painter will have to keep providing the paint brush or paint roller with paint. This is usually done by dipping the paint brush of paint roller in a paint container containing paint. When during painting the paint brush or paint roller gets contaminated with dirt particles, e.g. sand, soil or small insects, dipping the contaminated paint brush or paint roller back into the paint container containing paint will in turn contaminate the paint in the paint container. In time the paint in the container will become more and more contaminated with dirt. The paint filter according to the invention can reduce the build-up of dirt in the paint inside the paint container by letting the contaminated paint on the paint brush or paint roller pass through the mesh filter of the paint filter. By reducing the build-up of dirt in the paint, the likelihood of a ‘dirty’ paint layer can be reduced. In other words, the paint filter can improve the quality and finish of the painted surface.

[0009] Another advantage of the paint filter is that the paint inside the paint container can be kept less contaminated for a longer period of time, such that a painter can paint for a longer period of time with the same volume of paint. If the paint becomes too contaminated, the painter will stop using the paint in the paint container and throw both away. With the paint filter less paint will have to be thrown away. As a bonus also fewer paint containers will have to be thrown away. Hence, the paint filter can reduce the amount of paint and paint containers used, thereby reducing impact on the environment and reducing costs for the painter.

[0010] In an embodiment of the paint filter, the at least one side wall has an inner surface for facing the inner space and an opposite, outer surface, the at least one side wall comprising the upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the at least one side wall is configured to partially enclose the inner space and / or the upper edge is configured to partially define the upper end opening, wherein the at least one side wall is configured to be connected to an inner wall surface of a paint container via the lower edge of the at least one side wall, wherein, when in use the at least one side wall is connected to the inner wall surface of the paint container, the inner space is delimited by the inner surface of the at least one side wall and the inner wall surface of the paint container.. An advantage of having the inner space partly delimited by the inner surface of the at least one side wall, may be that less material may be required for the paint filter. An advantage of having the upper edge partially define the upper end opening may be that the flow of contaminated paint into the inner space may be improved, as the contaminated paint does not have to move over the upper edge of the paint filter.

[0011] In an embodiment of the paint filter, the side wall is a single sheet comprising the upper edge and the lower edge, the single sheet having the inner surface and the opposite, outer surface, wherein the single sheet is configured to be connected to an inner wall surface of the paint container via the lower edge of the single sheet. A single sheet may be easier to manufacture and be cheaper, as less material may be required.

[0012] In an embodiment of the paint filter, the at least one side wall is at least partially mesh filter, wherein in particular at least 50% of the at least one side wall is mesh filter, wherein more in particular at least 75% of the at least side wall is mesh filter. A larger surface area of mesh filter may allow more contaminated paint to be filtered.

[0013] In an embodiment of the paint filter, a width of the at least one side wall decreases from the upper edge towards a lower edge.

[0014] In an embodiment of the paint filter, at the lower end the paint filter has at least one lower end opening that is covered with the mesh filter, wherein the at least one side wall comprises a first wall part extending from the upper end to the lower end, and a second wall part extending from the upper end to the lower end, wherein the first wall part and second wall part are connected to each other via fold lines which extend from the upper end to the lower end, wherein the first wall part and second wall part together define the inner space, wherein the first wall part is substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter, in particular a part of the first wall part configured to abut an inner wall surface of a paint container is substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter, and wherein the with mesh filter covered lower end opening is provided only in the second wall part. By keeping the first wall part substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter the likelihood of an undesired sticking of the paint filter to an inner wall of a paint container can be reduced.

[0015] In an embodiment of the paint filter, an inner surface and / or an outer surface of the at least one side wall is provided with an adhesive for connecting the paint filter to an inner wall surface of a paint container, and / or wherein the paint filter comprises an adhesive tape provided on an inner surface of the at least one side wall, wherein the adhesive tape extends beyond the upper edge for connecting the paint filter to the inner wall surface of the paint container. This way a painter can simply attach the paint filter to an inner wall surface of a paint container.

[0016] In an embodiment of the paint filter, the first side wall part is free of an opening covered with mesh, the first side wall part being provided with the adhesive.

[0017] In an embodiment of the paint filter, the adhesive is provided as an adhesive strip or an adhesive patch. In an embodiment of the paint filter, the adhesive strip extends along the lower edge of the at least one side wall, wherein the adhesive strip extends in particular along the entire lower edge of the at least one side wall, in particular on the inner surface of the at least one side wall.

[0018] In an embodiment of the paint filter, the adhesive strip is located at and / or along the upper edge of the paint filter. This way the contaminated paint can more easily flow into the inner space of the paint filter via the upper edge, because the upper edge can be provided in contact, or at least closer to a wall surface along which paint can flow into the paint filter.

[0019] In an embodiment of the paint filter, the adhesive and / or the adhesive tape is covered with a removable film. The removable film protects the adhesive and / or the adhesive tape and reduces the likelihood that the adhesive dries out during storage of the paint filter.

[0020] In an embodiment, the paint filter further has at least one side opening, located between the lower end opening and the upper end, the at least one side opening being covered with a mesh filter.

[0021] In an embodiment of the paint filter, the at least one side opening is provided in the second wall part and not in the first wall part. This way the first wall part can be kept substantially free of an opening, reducing the likelihood that the first wall part will stick to a wall surface with which the first wall part is in contact.

[0022] In an embodiment of the paint filter, the paint filter is movable between a collapsed state and an open state, wherein in the collapsed state the paint filter is flat and the upper edge defines substantially no upper end opening, and wherein in the open state the paint filter is bulged and the upper edge defines the upper end opening. The collapsed state is advantageous from a transport and storage point of view.

[0023] In an embodiment of the paint filter, in the collapsed state the paint filter has a collapsed width between 5-16 cm, and a collapsed height between 3-9 cm.

[0024] In an embodiment of the paint filter, in a working, open state a width of the upper end opening, measured between two corner ends, is between approximately 4-15cm. A depth of the upper end opening, measured from the first side wall part to the second wall part is between 2-8 cm. A height of the paint filter, measured from an upper end to a lower end, is between 3-9 cm. In an embodiment of the paint filter, in a working, open state of the paint filter the upper end opening has an opening width and an opening depth, wherein the width is at least 2 times the depth.

[0025] In an embodiment of the paint filter, in a working, open state the inner space has a substantially elliptical conical or elliptical frustoconical shape, or an eye-shaped conical or eye-shaped frustoconical shape.

[0026] In an embodiment of the paint filter, the mesh filter has a first mesh size of between 125-190 micron, or wherein the mesh filter has a second mesh size of between 250 — 300 micron.

[0027] In an embodiment of the paint filter, the side wall is made of a sheet material, in particular a paper sheet or a plastic sheet, and wherein the mesh filter is made of a nylon, wherein the mesh filter is sealed to the sheet material. The sheet material allows for a relatively easy and cheap way of manufacturing the paint filter.

[0028] The invention further provides a combination of a filter holder and a paint filter according to the invention, wherein the paint filter is supported by the filter holder, wherein the filter holder comprises a connecting member configured to connect the filter holder to a paint container such that at least the lower end of the paint filter is located directly above or below an upper container opening of the paint container. The paint filter can simply be supported by the filter holder and / or the paint filter can be connected to the filter holder via an adhesive, e.g. an adhesive tape, similar to how the paint filter would be connected to the paint container. A paint brush or paint roller can be wiped along an edge of the filter holder such that the paint removed from the paint brush or paint roller flows into the paint filter and through the mesh filter. Therefore the upper edge of the paint filter is located flush with or below the edge of the filter holder.

[0029] The invention yet further provides an assembly comprising a paint container and a paint filter according to the invention, wherein the upper end of the paint filter is located above the lower end thereof, wherein the lower end of the paint filter is located directly above or below an upper container opening of the paint container.

[0030] In an embodiment of the assembly, in top view, - a filter circumference of the upper end opening in open state is less than 50% of a container opening circumference of an upper container opening of the paint container, preferably less than 25%, and / or

[0031] - an area of the upper end opening at least partially enclosed by the upper edge of the paint filter, in particular of the side wall, in the open state, is less than 50% of the area of the container opening, preferably less than 25%, more preferably less than 20%.

[0032] The relatively small filter circumference and / or the relatively small area of the upper end opening allows for sufficient room for a paint brush to enter the remaining area of the container opening.

[0033] In an embodiment of the assembly, the at least one side wall has an inner surface facing the inner space and an opposite, outer surface, the at least one side wall comprising the upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the at least one side wall is connected to an inner wall surface of a paint container via the lower edge of the at least one side wall, wherein the inner space is delimited by the inner surface of the at least one side wall and the inner wall surface of the paint container.

[0034] In an embodiment of the assembly, the side wall is a single sheet comprising the upper edge and the lower edge, the single sheet having the inner surface and the opposite, outer surface, wherein the single sheet is connected to the inner wall surface of the paint container via the lower edge of the single sheet.

[0035] In an embodiment of the assembly, the paint filter is movable between a collapsed state and an open state, wherein in the collapsed state the inner surface of the side wall extends parallel to the paint container, wherein in particular in the collapsed state the inner surface of the side wall contacts the inner wall surface of the paint container, and wherein in the open state the inner surface is located away from the inner wall surface of the paint container and the upper edge of the side wall partially defines the upper end opening.

[0036] In an embodiment of the assembly, a part of the upper edge of the paint filter substantially contacts an inner rim and / or an inner wall surface of the paint container, the upper end opening extending from the inner rim and / or the inner wall surface into the container inner space of the paint container. The contact of the upper edge with the inner rim and / or inner wall surface of the paint container allows contaminated paint to flow effectively into the paint filter. In an embodiment of the assembly, an outer surface of the at least one side wall is provided with an adhesive, wherein the paint filter is removably connected to the inner rim and / or the inner wall surface of the paint container via the adhesive.

[0037] In an embodiment of the assembly, the first side wall part of the paint filter extends parallel to the inner wall surface of the paint container.

[0038] In an embodiment of the assembly, the paint container is a paint container bucket, or wherein the assembly further comprises a paint container bucket and the paint container is located inside the paint container bucket, the paint container bucket having a pivotable handle.

[0039] In an embodiment of the assembly, the paint container has an inner volume of between 1-12 Litre, preferably approximately 2,5 Litre.

[0040] In an embodiment of the assembly, the paint filter is integrally fixed to the paint container, for example via a heat seal. This way an integrated assembly of the paint container and paint filter can be obtained, that can be sold as one piece in a paint store.

[0041] The invention provides a blank for manufacturing a paint filter according to the invention, the blank having a first surface and an opposite second surface, and comprising: at least one first wall section, at least one second wall section, wherein the at least one second wall section is delimited from the at least one first wall section at a first side of the second wall section by a first fold line, wherein a mesh filter is connected to the first wall section and / or the second wall section on the first surface of the blank.

[0042] In an embodiment the blank comprises two first wall sections, wherein one first wall section is delimited from the second wall section at the first side thereof by the first fold line, and wherein the other first wall section is delimited from the second wall section at an opposite, second side thereof by a second fold line.

[0043] In an embodiment of the blank, the second wall section comprises at least one opening that is covered with the mesh filter sheet, wherein the at least first wall section is substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter sheet. In an embodiment of the blank, an adhesive is provided on the at least one first wall section, in particular on the second surface of the blank.

[0044] The invention further provides a method for filtering contaminated paint from a paint brush or paint roller, the method comprising: a) providing an assembly according to any one of the preceding assembly claims, b) providing paint, located in the paint container, on bristles of the paint brush or on a roller cover of the paint roller, c) removing contaminated paint from the bristles or the roller cover by wiping the bristles or roller cover along a part of an edge which is located vertically above the upper edge of the paint filter, whereafter the contaminated paint passes into the inner space at least partially enclosed by the paint filter, in particular by the upper edge of the at least one side wall, and subsequently through the mesh filter, thereby filtering contaminations from the contaminated paint.

[0045] In an embodiment of the method, the upper end opening at least partially defined by the upper edge of the side wall extends from the inner rim or the inner wall surface into the container inner space of the paint container, wherein in in step c) the edge along which the bristles or roller cover are wiped is the rim of a paint container.

[0046] These and other aspects of the invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like parts.

[0047] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0048] Figure 1 schematically shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly according the invention comprising an embodiment of a paint filter according to the invention and a paint container of approximately 2,5 litres.

[0049] Figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention comprising an embodiment of a paint filter according to the invention.

[0050] Figure 3 schematically shows a top view of the embodiment of the paint filter of figure 2 in a working, open state.

[0051] Figure 4 schematically shows a top view of the assembly shown in figure 2.

[0052] Figure 5 schematically shows a side view of the embodiment of the paint filter of figure 2 in a working, open state. Figure 6 schematically shows a cross-section along a plane A-A as shown in figure 4. side view of the assembly shown in figure 2.

[0053] Figure 7 schematically shows a side view of another embodiment of a paint filter according to the invention, wherein a first side wall part is provided with an adhesive, in particular an adhesive strip.

[0054] Figure 8 schematically shows a cross-section along a plane A-A as shown in figure 4 for the embodiment of the assembly comprising the paint filter shown in figure 7.

[0055] Figure 9 schematically shows a front view of the paint filter shown in figure 7.

[0056] Figure 10 schematically shows a rear view of the paint filter shown in figure 7.

[0057] Figure 11 schematically shows a top view of an embodiment of a blank according to the invention for manufacturing the paint filter shown in figure 7.

[0058] Figure 12 schematically shows an embodiment of a blank according to the invention for manufacturing another embodiment of a paint filter according to the invention.

[0059] Figure 13 schematically shows an embodiment of a paint filter according to the invention manufactured with the blank as shown figure 12.

[0060] Figure 14 schematically shows an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention comprising the paint filter as shown in figure 13.

[0061] Figure 15 schematically shows a cross-section along the plane A-A as shown in figure 4, but then of an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention, wherein the paint filter is provided in a filter holder, thereby showing a combination according to the invention of a filter holder and a paint filter according to the invention.

[0062] Figure 16 schematically shows a top view of another embodiment of an assembly according to the invention comprising an embodiment of a paint filter according to the invention and a paint container with a volume of 8-12 litres.

[0063] Figures 17 to 19 schematically show a front view, a top view and a side view, respectively of another embodiment of a paint filter according to the invention.

[0064] Figures 20 and 21 schematically show a front view of two embodiments of a paint filter according to the invention.

[0065] Figure 22 schematically shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a paint filter according to the invention.

[0066] Figures 23 and 24 schematically show a perspective view of another embodiment of an assembly according to the invention comprising the embodiment of the paint filter of figure 17.

[0067] Figures 25 and 26 schematically show a top view of figures 23 and 24, respectively.

[0068] Figure 27 and 28 schematically show a perspective view of an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0069] Turning to figure 1 , an exploded view is shown of an embodiment of an assembly 100 according the invention comprising an embodiment of a paint filter 1 according to the invention. The paint filter 1 of figure 1 is shown also in figures 2 to 6 and figure 15. Figures 7 to 10 show another embodiment of a paint filter 1 according to the invention. Figures 13 and 14 show yet another embodiment of a paint filter 1 according to the invention. Figures 17 to 22 show further embodiments of a paint filter 1 according to the invention.

[0070] The paint filters 1 as shown in the figures are for filtering contaminated paint removed from a paint brush or paint roller. Contaminations are for example dirt, debris, sand, flies that come into contact with a paint brush or paint roller during use. Without the use of a paint filter 1 according to the invention the contaminated paint on the paint brush or paint roller ends up in paint inside a paint container 13 when dipping the brush or roller therein. Painting with contaminated paint is highly undesired, because the contaminations negatively affect the paint finish. In particular when a high gloss lacquer is used, any unevenness is immediately noticeable. For a painter it is a major inconvenience to have to remove each contamination from wet paint that is applied on a surface.

[0071] The paint filter 1 comprises at least one side wall 2 configured to at least partially enclose an inner space 3 for receiving and accommodating contaminated paint. The at least one side wall 2 in the embodiments of the paint filter 1 as shown in figures 1 to 16 completely encloses the inner space 3. In the embodiments of the paint filter 1 as shown in figures 17 to 28 the side wall 2 is configured to partially enclose the inner space 3 when connected to an inner wall surface of the paint container 13, wherein the inner space 3 is delimited by the inner surface of the side wall 2 of the paint filter 1 and an associated wall part 60 of the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13.

[0072] The paint filter 1 comprises an upper end 4 and a lower end 5. At the upper end 4 the paint filter 1, in particular the at least one side wall 2, comprises an upper edge 6 configured to at least partially define an upper end opening 7 for allowing the contaminated paint to enter the inner space 3. The upper edge 6 in the embodiments of the paint filter 1 as shown in figures 1 to 16 completely defines the upper end opening 7. In the embodiments of the paint filter 1 as shown in figures 17 to 28 the upper edge 6 is configured to partially define the upper end opening 7 when connected to an inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13, wherein the upper end opening 7 is defined by the upper edge 6 of the side wall 2 of the paint filter 1 and an associated wall section 61 of the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13. For the associated wall part 60 and the associated wall section 61 of the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13, see the imaginary dashed line in figures 25, 27 and 28.

[0073] The paint filter 1 comprises a mesh filter 9 located between the upper end 4 and the lower end 5. For example, as shown in figures 5, at the lower end 5 the paint filter 1 has at least one lower end opening 8 that is covered with a mesh filter 9.

[0074] The side wall 2 is made of a sheet material 25, in particular a paper sheet or a plastic sheet. The mesh filter 9 is made of a nylon, wherein the mesh filter 9 is sealed to the sheet material 25. The at least one side wall may at least partially be mesh filter 9. For example at least 50% of the at least one side wall 2 may be mesh filter. In the embodiment shown in figure 17 at least 75% of the at least side wall is mesh filter 9.

[0075] Part or parts of the side wall 2 that is / are not mesh filter 9 is / are impermeable to paint. For the embodiments shown in figures 1 to 16, in particular the part of the side wall 2 configured to abut the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13 is impermeable to paint. This reduces the likelihood that the side wall 2 will stick to the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13, which could be disadvantageous when removing the paint filter 1 from the inner wall surface 16.

[0076] The mesh filter 9 may have a first mesh size of between 125-190 micron, preferably 140 micron. The first mesh size is in particular suitable for filtering for example lacquers, such as water based lacquers or solvent based lacquers. The mesh filter 9 may instead have a second mesh size of between 250 — 300 micron. The second mesh size is in particular suitable for filtering coarser paints such as for example latex paint. Latex paint is often provided in relatively large paint containers of 8-12 litres, as schematically shown in the top view of figure 16.

[0077] As shown in the embodiment of figures 1 to 16, the side wall 2 may comprise a first wall part 10 extending from the upper end 4 to the lower end 5, and a second wall part 11 extending from the upper end 4 to the lower end 5. The first wall part 10 and second wall part 11 are connected to each other via fold lines 12 which extend from the upper end 4 to the lower end 5. The first wall part 10 and second wall part 11 together define the inner space 3.

[0078] In the embodiments as shown in figures 1 to 10 the first wall part 10 is substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter 9. In particular a part of the first wall part 10 configured to abut an inner wall surface 16 of a paint container 13 is substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter 9. The with mesh filter 9 covered lower end opening 8 is provided only in the second wall part 11.

[0079] The paint filter 1 as shown in figures 1 to 10 has at least one side opening 19. The side opening 19 is located between the lower end opening 8 and the upper end 4. The at least one side opening 19 is covered with a mesh filter 9. If the bottom of the paint filter 1 becomes clogged with contaminations or if the volume of paint in the inner space 3 of the paint filter 1 gets above a certain volume, the at least one side opening 19 allows for contaminated paint to still be filtered.

[0080] The at least one side opening 19 is provided in the second wall part 11 and not in the first wall part 10. The side wall 2, here the second wall part 11 , between the lower end opening 8 and the at least one side opening 19 provides structural integrity. A surface area of the second side wall part 11 is at least two times the size of the lower end opening, or of the lower end opening and at least one side opening.

[0081] The at least one side opening 19 extends under an angle relative to a vertical axis 53, as shown in figure 9. This way the contaminated paint can be filtered with increasing volume while providing structural integrity with the side wall 2, here the second wall part 11 .

[0082] An outer surface 14 of the at least one side wall 2 may be provided with an adhesive 15 for connecting the paint filter 1 to an inner wall surface 16 of a paint container 13. This is shown in the embodiments of figures 7, 8 and 13, 14.

[0083] In the exemplary embodiments shown in figures 17 to 21 the inner surface 57 is provided with an adhesive for connecting the paint filter 1 to the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13. The adhesive, here in the form of an adhesive strip 56, extends along the lower edge 58 of the ide wall 2, wherein the adhesive strip extends in particular along the entire lower edge 58 of the at least one side wall.

[0084] The first wall part 10 is free of an opening covered with mesh. The first wall part 10 is provided with the adhesive 15. In the exemplary embodiments the adhesive 15 is provided as an adhesive strip 17. For embodiments comprising the first wall part and the second wall part, as for example shown in figures 1 to 16, the adhesive strip 17 may be located at the upper edge 6 of the paint filter 1 , because that way the upper edge 6 can be in better contact with the inner wall surface 16 and / or the rim. An additional adhesive strip 17 may be provided at a lower end 5 of the first wall part 10 for assisting in keeping the paint filter 1 in a desired position when connected to an inner wall surface 16 of a paint container 13. It is also possible to provide substantially the complete outer surface of the first wall part with adhesive in the form of an adhesive patch.

[0085] The adhesive 15 can be covered with a removable film 18, as for example shown in the embodiment of figures 7 and 10.

[0086] The paint filter 1 is movable between a collapsed state 20 and an open state 21. The open state 21 is shown in figure 1 to 10 and 14, and in figures 25 to 28. A collapsed state 20 is shown in figure 13, and in figures 23 and 24. Figure 3 shows with four arrows 55 the direction in which the side wall 2 has to be moved in order to move the paint filter 1 from the shown open state 21 to the collapsed state 20.

[0087] In the collapsed state 20 the paint filter 1 is flat and the upper edge 6 defines substantially no upper end opening 7. In the open state 21 the paint filter 1 is bulged and the upper edge 6 at least partially defines the upper end opening 7.

[0088] For the embodiments shown in figures 17 to 22, in the collapsed state 20 the inner surface 57 of the side wall 2 extends parallel to the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13, see for example figures 23 and 24. In particular in the collapsed state the inner surface of the side wall contacts the inner wall surface of the paint container. In the open state, see figures 25 to 28, the inner surface 57 is located away from the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13 and the upper edge 6 of the side wall 2 partially defines the upper end opening 7.

[0089] In the collapsed state 20, the paint filter 1 has a collapsed width between 5-16 cm. In the collapsed state 20, the paint filter has a collapsed height between 5-10 cm.

[0090] In a working, open state 21 a width 22 of the upper end opening 7 is between 5-15cm, and a depth 23 of the upper end opening 7 is between 2-8 cm, and wherein the paint filter 1 has a height 24 between 3 - 9 cm.

[0091] When the paint filter 1 is used in a paint container 13 of approximately 2,5 litres, as shown in figures 1 to 8, the paint filter 1 preferably has a collapsed height of 5-7 cm and a collapsed width of 6-12 cm. In an open, working state the opening height is between 3-7 cm, the opening width is between 5-12 cm, and an opening depth is between 2-4,5 cm. An exemplary embodiment has a collapsed width of 10 cm and a collapsed height of 6 cm, and in the open state an opening width 22 of 9 cm, an opening height 24 of 6 cm and an opening depth 23 of 3,5 cm. The 2,5 litres paint containers are generally used for lacquer paints and can relatively easy be carried around.

[0092] In a working, open state 21 of the paint filter 1 the upper end opening 7 has an opening width 22 and an opening depth 23, wherein the width 22 is at least 2 times the depth 23. This can be seen in the top view of figure 3.

[0093] When a paint filter 1 is used in a paint container 13 of approximately 8-12 litres, as shown in figures 13, 27 and 28, the paint filter 1 is preferably somewhat larger, because the paint rollers used with latex paint tend to be larger as well compared to paint rollers used for lacquers. The paint filter 1 can for example be advantageously provided in a corner of the paint container 13. In this case the collapsed height is 7-9 cm and the collapsed width is 14- 16 cm, wherein in the open state the opening width 22 is approximately 15 cm, the opening height is 7-9 cm, and the opening depth 23 is 7-8 cm.

[0094] In a working, open state 21 of the paint filter 1 the upper end opening 7 has an eyeshape or an elliptical shape, when seen in top view. For the embodiments shown in figures 1 to 16 this may provide a relatively large connection area along the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13, such that a paint brush can be wiped off along a relatively large part of the rim of the paint container 13, while limiting a protrusion distance of the paint filter 1 towards a centre of the paint container 13 opening.

[0095] In a working, open state 21 the inner space 3 has a substantially elliptical conical or elliptical frustoconical shape, or an eye-shaped conical or eye-shaped frustoconical shape. In a working, open state 21 of the paint filter 1 a cross-sectional area of the inner space 3 decreases from the upper end 4 towards the lower end 5.

[0096] Turning to the embodiments as shown in figures 17 to 28, wherein the at least one side wall 2 has an inner surface 57 for facing the inner space 3 and an opposite, outer surface 14. The at least one side wall comprises the upper edge and a lower edge 58. The side wall 2 is configured to be connected to an inner wall surface 16 of a paint container 13 via the lower edge 58 of the side wall 2. When in use the side wall is connected to the inner wall surface of the paint container, the inner space 3 is delimited by the inner surface 57 of the side wall and the associated wall part 60 of the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13. A width 59 of the at least one side wall may decrease from the upper edge 6 towards the lower edge 58, leading to for example a triangular shape as shown in figure 17. The lower edge 58 in particular extends away from the upper edge 6. The side wall is a single sheet comprising the upper edge and the lower edge 58. The single sheet comprises the inner surface 57 and the opposite, outer surface 14. The single sheet is configured to be connected to the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13 via the lower edge 58 of the single sheet.

[0097] An adhesive, here in the form of an adhesive strip 56, extends along the lower edge 58 of the at least one side wall, here on the inner surface 57 thereof. The upper edge 6 is substantially free of adhesive, except for possibly the outer upper corners 62. The adhesive strip extends in particular along the entire lower edge 58 of the side wall 2. The lower edge 58 may be comprised of one or more lower edge sections, as for example two lower edge sections 58.1, 58.2 in figure 17, or three lower edge sections 58.1, 58.2, 58.3 as shown in figures 21 and 22. Adjacent lower edge sections 58.1 , 58.2, 58.3 are connected to each other. By having the adhesive strip extend along substantially the entire lower edge 58, paint can only move out of the inner space 3 due to gravity through the mesh filter 9.

[0098] The paint filter 1 is configured to be part of an assembly 100 comprising a paint container 13 and the paint filter 1. The upper end 4 of the paint filter 1 is located above the lower end 5 thereof. The lower end 5 of the paint filter 1 is located directly above or below an upper container opening 31 of the paint container. In top view, see for example figure 4, a filter circumference 29 of the upper end opening 7 in open state 21 is less than 50% of a container opening circumference 30 of an upper container opening 31 of the paint container 13, preferably less than 25%. This allows for sufficient room for a paint brush to enter the remaining area of the container opening 31 for dipping the paint brush in the paint contained in the paint container 13. The filter circumference 29 of the upper end opening 7 is between 10-20 cm, whereas the container opening circumference 30 of the upper container opening 31 is at least 45 cm. The height of the paint filter is less than 50% of a height 54 of the inner space of the paint container, preferably less than 35%. A smaller height of the paint filter allows for more paint to be contained in the paint container without the paint filter coming into contact with the paint.

[0099] When seen in top view, e.g. figures 4 and 26, the area of the upper end opening 7 at least partially enclosed by the paint filter 1 , in particular at least partially by the upper edge of the at least one side wall, in the open state 21, is less than 50% of the area of the container opening 31 , preferably less than 25%, more preferably less than 20%. This allows for sufficient room for a paint brush to enter the remaining area of the container opening 31 for dipping the paint brush in the paint contained in the paint container 13. In the embodiments shown in figures 2A, 4, 6, 8 and 14 at least a part of the upper edge 6 of the paint filter 1 substantially contacts an inner rim 32 and / or an inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13. In the embodiments shown in figures 17 to 22, a lower edge 58 of the paint filter 1 contacts the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13, wherein the upper edge 6 does not substantially contact the inner wall surface 16. The upper end opening 7 extends from the inner rim 32 and / or the inner wall surface 16 into the container inner space 34 of the paint container 13. In the embodiment shown in figures 2, 4 and 6 the contact of the upper edge 6 against the inner wall surface 16 is achieved by an adhesive tape 52 extending over an inner surface 57 of the first wall part 10 and the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13. The adhesive tape 52 can be easily removed in order to remove the paint filter 1 from the paint container 13.

[0100] The adhesive tape 52 may be provided separate from the paint filter 1. A painter generally has paint tape that can be used as adhesive tape 52 for the paint filter. The adhesive tape 52 may instead be applied on the side wall during manufacturing of the paint filter 1 in a factory. The adhesive tape 52 may be applied on an inner surface 57 of the first side wall part and may extend above, or beyond, the upper edge 6 of the at least one side wall 2. This way, when the paint filter is connected to a paint container 13 via the adhesive tape 52, the upper edge 6 can be brought into good contact with the inner wall surface of the paint container 13, such that the paint can flow effectively into the paint filter 1. For the embodiments as shown in figures 17 to 22, the upper edge 6 does not substantially contact the inner wall surface of the paint container during use, which may improve the flow of contaminated paint that is wiped off the paint brush or paint roller along the inner wall surface of the paint container and into the inner space 3 partially enclosed by the side wall 2.

[0101] In the embodiments shown in figures 6, 8 and 14 an outer surface 14 of the at least one side wall 2 is provided with an adhesive 15. The paint filter 1 is removably connected to the inner rim 32 and / or the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13 via the adhesive 15. The contact of the upper edge 6 against the inner wall surface 16 is achieved by the adhesive strip 17 provided on the outer surface 14 of the first wall part 10.

[0102] The embodiment of figure 23 may for example be manufactured as a single piece, i.e. the paint filter 1 may already be connected to the paint container 13 during manufacturing, for example via heat welding or another connection method. Such an assembly 100 can be sold as an integrated paint container 13 and paint filter 1. The paint filter 1 may for example be fixed to the paint container 13, e.g. via heat sealing. Such an integrated assembly may still be stackable if the paint filter extends parallel to the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13, in particular in a collapsed state. The first wall part 10 of the paint filter 1 extends parallel to the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13.

[0103] The paint container 13 can be a paint container bucket 35 as shown in the exploded view of figure 1. In that case the paint is located directly in the paint container bucket 35. Or the assembly 100 further comprises the paint container bucket 35 and the paint container 13 is located inside the paint container bucket 35. In that case the paint is located in the paint container 13, and thus indirectly in the paint container bucket 35. The paint container bucket 35 has a pivotable handle 36 and is easy to carry around. Often a painter uses a paint container 13 that is inserted in a paint container bucket 35. The paint container bucket 35 can be reused, whereas the paint container 13 is generally replaced with another paint container 13 when using different paints.

[0104] The paint container 13 has an inner volume of between 1-12 Litre, preferably approximately 2,5 Litre. A painter often uses a paint container 13 of approximately 2,5L, because it is relatively easy to carry around without being too heavy.

[0105] Figure 15 shows an embodiment of an assembly 100 comprising a paint container 13 and an embodiment of a combination 26 of a filter holder 27 and a paint filter 1. The paint filter 1 is supported by the filter holder 27, wherein the filter holder is configured to position the lower end of the paint filter within the container opening circumference when seen in top view. Another exemplary embodiment of the filter holder 27 can also be provided higher or lower relative to the paint container 13. The paint filter 1 may be connected to the filter holder 27 via an adhesive 15, e.g. via an adhesive strip 17 similar to the one shown in figure 10. It is also possible that the paint filter 1 is merely supported by the filter holder 27 without an additional connection like for example an adhesive connection.

[0106] The filter holder 27 comprises a connecting member 28 configured to connect the filter holder 27 to a paint container 13 such that at least the lower end 5 of the paint filter 1 is located directly above or, in this case, below an upper container opening 31 of the paint container 13. Here the connecting member 28 comprises a hook-like member that hooks behind the rim of the paint container 13, and a spacing member that keeps the filter holder 27 in a predetermined position such that the paint filter 1 has a desired vertical orientation. Other embodiments of the connecting member 28 and / or filter holder 27 are also possible.

[0107] Turning to figures 11 and 12, exemplary embodiments are shown of a blank 38 for manufacturing a paint filter 1 according to figures 5 and 13 respectively. The blank 38 has a first surface 39 and an opposite second surface 40. The first surface 39 corresponds to the inner surface of the paint filter 1. The second surface 40 corresponds to the outer surface 14 of the paint filter 1. The blank 38 comprises at least one first wall section 41 and at least one second wall section 42. The at least one first wall section 41 corresponds to the first wall part 10. The at least one second wall section 42 corresponds to the second wall part 11. The blank 38 in figure 11 has two first wall sections 41 and one second wall section 42, whereas the blank 38 in figure 12 has one first wall section 41 and one second wall section 42.

[0108] The at least one second wall section 42 is delimited from the at least one first wall section 41 at a first side 43 of the second wall section 42 by a first fold line 44. In figure 11 one first wall section 41 is delimited from the second wall section 42 at the first side thereof by the first fold line 44. The other first wall section 41 is delimited from the second wall section 42 at an opposite, second side 45 thereof by a second fold line 46.

[0109] A mesh filter 9 is connected to the first wall section 41 and / or the second wall section 42 on the first surface 39 of the blank 38. In the embodiment shown in figure 11 the mesh filter 9, here a mesh filter sheet 48, is provided on the two first wall sections 41 and the second wall section 42.

[0110] The second wall section 42 comprises at least one opening 47 that is covered with the mesh filter sheet 48, whereas the at least first wall section 41 is substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter sheet 48.

[0111] In the embodiment shown in figure 12 the mesh filter 9 is connected to the first wall section 41, i.e. the wall section that is configured to be parallel to the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13. It is also possible to connect the mesh filter 9 to the second wall section 42. The mesh filter 9 in figure 12 is an elliptical conus, which is in a collapsed state 20 in said figure. An adhesive strip 56 is provided on an outer surface 14 and is configured to connect the first surface 39 of the second wall section 42 to the mesh filter 9. When the manufactured paint filter 1 is then moved from the collapsed state 20 to the open state 21, as shown in figure 14, the elliptical conus mesh filter 9 opens simultaneously.

[0112] An adhesive 15 can be provided on the at least one first wall section 41, in particular on the second surface 40 of the blank 38. The adhesive 15 can for example be in the form of the adhesive strip 17.

[0113] The blanks 38 may comprise one or more additional flaps 50 that are configured to overlap a wall section 41, 42 for attachment thereto for manufacturing the paint filter 1. The additional flap can be integrally connected to a wall section 41 , 42 via a flap fold line 51. The additional flap may be provided with an adhesive, such as for example an adhesive strip, for connecting the additional flap to one of the wall sections.

[0114] A method for filtering contaminated paint from a paint brush or paint roller comprises: a) providing an assembly 100 according to the invention, b) providing paint on bristles of the paint brush or on a roller cover of the paint roller, c) removing contaminated paint from the bristles or the roller cover by wiping the bristles or roller cover along a part of an edge 49 which is located vertically above the upper edge 6 of the paint filter 1 , whereafter the contaminated paint passes into the inner space 3 at least partially enclosed by the paint filter 1 and subsequently through the mesh filter 9, thereby filtering contaminations from the contaminated paint.

[0115] By filtering the contaminated paint with the paint filter 1 , fewer contaminations end up in the paint in the paint container 13, which greatly improves the painting experience for the painter and improves the paint finish.

[0116] Step a) comprises providing an assembly 100, wherein the paint filter 1 is connected to the rim and / or inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13, and wherein in step c) the edge along which the bristles or roller cover are wiped is the rim of the paint container 13.

[0117] When the paint filter 1 is located a distance under the rim, the contaminated paint can drip along the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container 13 and into the paint filter 1. In case a paint container bucket 35 is used which has an inwardly extending rim, and the paint filter 1 is connected to the inner wall surface 16 of the paint container bucket 35, the paint wiped off along the rim can at least partly fall directly into the paint filter 1 without coming into contact with the inner wall surface 16.

[0118] If the upper edge 6 of the paint filter 1 is located substantially on the rim, the contaminated paint can drip into the paint filter 1 directly upon wiping.

[0119] When a combination 26 of the filter holder 27 and the paint filter 1 is provided, the edge can for example be an edge of the filter holder 27.

[0120] When during use the inner space 3 of the paint filter 1 reaches a certain level of filtered contaminations, the paint filter 1 can be easily removed and replaced with a new paint filter 1. Or when the paint job is finished, the paint filter 1 can be removed and thrown away. In a sense the paint filter 1 is therefore a single use paint filter 1.

[0121] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting, but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention.

[0122] The terms "a" or "an", as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and / or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e. , open language, not excluding other elements or steps). Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims or the invention.

[0123] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

[0124] The present invention further relates to the following numbered clauses.

[0125] 1. Paint filter (1) for filtering contaminated paint removed from a paint brush or paint roller, the paint filter comprising:

[0126] - at least one side wall (2) enclosing an inner space (3) for receiving and accommodating contaminated paint, wherein the paint filter comprises an upper end (4) and a lower end (5), wherein at the upper end the paint filter, in particular the at least one side wall, comprises an upper edge (6) configured to define an upper end opening (7) for allowing the contaminated paint to enter the inner space, and wherein at the lower end the paint filter has at least one lower end opening (8) that is covered with a mesh filter (9).

[0127] 2. Paint filter according to clause 1, wherein the side wall comprise a first wall part (11) extending from the upper end to the lower end, and a second wall part (12) extending from the upper end to the lower end, wherein the first wall part and second wall part are connected to each other via fold lines (12) which extend from the upper end to the lower end, wherein the first wall part and second wall part together define the inner space, wherein the first wall part is substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter, in particular a part of the first wall part configured to abut an inner wall surface of a paint container (13) is substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter, and wherein the with mesh filter covered lower end opening is provided only in the second wall part.

[0128] 3. Paint filter according to clause 1 or 2, wherein an outer surface (14) of the at least one side wall is provided with an adhesive (15) for connecting the paint filter to an inner wall surface (16) of a paint container, and / or wherein the paint filter comprises an adhesive tape (52) provided on an inner surface (57) of the at least one side wall (2), wherein the adhesive tape extends beyond the upper edge (6) for connecting the paint filter to the inner wall surface of the paint container.

[0129] 4. Paint filter according to the preceding clause, wherein the first side wall part is free of an opening covered with mesh, the first side wall part being provided with the adhesive.

[0130] 5. Paint filter according to clause 3 or 4, wherein the adhesive is provided as an adhesive strip (17).

[0131] 6. Paint filter according to the preceding clause, wherein the adhesive strip is located at the upper edge of the paint filter.

[0132] 7. Paint filter according to any of clauses 3-6, wherein the adhesive and / or the adhesive tape (52) is covered with a removable film (18).

[0133] 8. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding clauses, further having at least one side opening (19), located between the lower end opening and the upper end, the at least one side opening being covered with a mesh filter (9).

[0134] 9. Paint filter according to the preceding clause, wherein the at least one side opening is provided in the second wall part and not in the first wall part.

[0135] 10. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the paint filter is movable between a collapsed state (20) and an open state (21), wherein in the collapsed state the paint filter is flat and the upper edge defines substantially no upper end opening, and wherein in the open state the paint filter is bulged and the upper edge defines the upper end opening.

[0136] 11. Paint filter according to clause 10, wherein in the collapsed state the paint filter has a collapsed width between 5-16 cm, and a collapsed height between 3-9 cm.

[0137] 12. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein in a working, open state a width of the upper end opening is between 4-15, and a depth of the upper end opening is between 2-8 cm, and wherein the paint filter has a height between 3-9 cm.

[0138] 13. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein in a working, open state of the paint filter the upper end opening has an opening width and an opening depth, wherein the width is at least 2 times the depth.

[0139] 14. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein in a working, open state the inner space has a substantially elliptical conical or elliptical frustoconical shape, or an eye-shaped conical or eye-shaped frustoconical shape.

[0140] 15. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the mesh filter has a first mesh size of between 125-190 micron, or wherein the mesh filter has a second mesh size of between 250 — 300 micron.

[0141] 16. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the side wall is made of a sheet material, in particular a paper sheet or a plastic sheet, and wherein the mesh filter is made of a nylon, wherein the mesh filter is sealed to the sheet material.

[0142] 17. Combination (26) of a filter holder (27) and a paint filter according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the paint filter is supported by the filter holder, wherein the filter holder comprises a connecting member (28) configured to connect the filter holder to a paint container such that at least the lower end of the paint filter is located directly above or below an upper container opening (30) of the paint container.

[0143] 18. Assembly (100) comprising a paint container (13) and a paint filter (1) according to any one of clauses 1-16, wherein the upper end of the paint filter is located above the lower end thereof, wherein the lower end of the paint filter is located directly above or below an upper container opening of the paint container, wherein, in top view, a filter circumference of the upper end opening in open state is less than 50% of a container opening circumference of an upper container opening of the paint container, preferably less than 25%.

[0144] 19. Assembly according to the preceding clause, wherein a part of the upper edge of the paint filter substantially contacts an inner rim and / or an inner wall surface of the paint container, the upper end opening extending from the inner rim and / or the inner wall surface into the container inner space of the paint container.

[0145] 20. Assembly according to clause 18 or 19, wherein an outer surface of the at least one side wall is provided with an adhesive, wherein the paint filter is removably connected to the inner rim and / or the inner wall surface of the paint container via the adhesive.

[0146] 21. Assembly according to any one of clauses 18-20, wherein the first side wall part of the paint filter extends parallel to the inner wall surface of the paint container.

[0147] 22. Assembly according to any one of clauses 18-21 , wherein the paint container is a paint container bucket, or wherein the assembly further comprises a paint container bucket and the paint container is located inside the paint container bucket, the paint container bucket having a pivotable handle.

[0148] 23. Assembly according to any one of clauses 18-22, wherein the paint container has an inner volume of between 1-12 Litre, preferably approximately 2,5 Litre.

[0149] 24. Blank (38) for manufacturing a paint filter (1) according to any one of clauses 1-16, the blank having a first surface (39) and an opposite second surface (40), and comprising:

[0150] - at least one first wall section (41),

[0151] - at least one second wall section (42), wherein the at least one second wall section is delimited from the at least one first wall section at a first side (43) of the second wall section by a first fold line (44), wherein a mesh filter (9) is connected to the first wall section and / or the second wall section on the first surface of the blank.

[0152] 25. Blank according to the preceding clause, comprising two first wall sections, wherein one first wall section is delimited from the second wall section at the first side thereof by the first fold line, and wherein the other first wall section is delimited from the second wall section at an opposite, second side (45) thereof by a second fold line (46). Blank according to clause 24 or 25, wherein the second wall section comprises at least one opening that is covered with the mesh filter sheet, wherein the at least first wall section is substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter sheet. Blank according to any one of clauses 24-26, wherein an adhesive is provided on the at least one first wall section, in particular on the second surface of the blank. Method for filtering contaminated paint from a paint brush or paint roller, the method comprising: a) providing an assembly according to any one of the preceding assembly clauses, b) providing paint on bristles of a paint brush or on a roller cover of a paint roller, c) removing contaminated paint from the bristles or the roller cover by wiping the bristles or roller cover along a part of an edge which is located vertically above the upper edge of the paint filter, whereafter the contaminated paint passes into the inner space of the paint filter and subsequently through the mesh filter, thereby filtering contaminations from the contaminated paint. Method according to the preceding clause, wherein step a) comprises providing an assembly according to any one of clauses 19- 23, wherein in step c) the edge along which the bristles or roller cover are wiped is the rim of the paint container.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Paint filter (1) for filtering contaminated paint removed from a paint brush or paint roller, the paint filter comprising:- at least one side wall (2) configured to at least partially enclose an inner space (3) for receiving and accommodating contaminated paint, wherein the paint filter comprises an upper end (4) and a lower end (5), wherein at the upper end the paint filter, in particular the at least one side wall, comprises an upper edge (6) configured to define at least partially an upper end opening (7) for allowing the contaminated paint to enter the inner space, and wherein the paint filter comprises a mesh filter located between the upper end and the lower end.

2. Paint filter according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one side wall has an inner surface (57) for facing the inner space and an opposite, outer surface (14), the at least one side wall comprising the upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the at least one side wall is configured to partially enclose the inner space (3) and / or the upper edge (6) is configured to partially define the upper end opening (7), wherein the at least one side wall is configured to be connected to an inner wall surface of a paint container via the lower edge of the at least one side wall, wherein, when in use the at least one side wall is connected to the inner wall surface of the paint container, the inner space is delimited by the inner surface of the at least one side wall and the inner wall surface of the paint container.

3. Paint filter according to the preceding claim, wherein the side wall is a single sheet comprising the upper edge and the lower edge, the single sheet having the inner surface (57) and the opposite, outer surface (14), wherein the single sheet is configured to be connected to an inner wall surface of the paint container via the lower edge of the single sheet.

4. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one side wall is at least partially mesh filter, wherein in particular at least 50% of the at least one side wall is mesh filter, wherein more in particular at least 75% of the at least side wall is mesh filter.

5. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a width (22) of the at least one side wall decreases from the upper edge towards a lower edge.

6. Paint filter according to claim 1 or 4 or 5, wherein at the lower end the paint filter has at least one lower end opening (8) that is covered with the mesh filter (9), wherein the side wall comprise a first wall part (11) extending from the upper end to the lower end, and a second wall part (12) extending from the upper end to the lower end, wherein the first wall part and second wall part are connected to each other via fold lines (12) which extend from the upper end to the lower end, wherein the first wall part and second wall part together define the inner space, wherein the first wall part is substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter, in particular a part of the first wall part configured to abut an inner wall surface of a paint container (13) is substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter, and wherein the with mesh filter covered lower end opening is provided only in the second wall part.

7. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an inner surface (57) or an outer surface (14) of the at least one side wall is provided with an adhesive (15) for connecting the paint filter to an inner wall surface (16) of a paint container, and / or wherein the paint filter comprises an adhesive tape (52) provided on an inner surface (57) of the at least one side wall (2), wherein the adhesive tape extends beyond the upper edge (6) for connecting the paint filter to the inner wall surface of the paint container.

8. Paint filter according to the preceding claim, wherein the first side wall part is free of an opening covered with mesh, the first side wall part being provided with the adhesive.

9. Paint filter according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the adhesive is provided as an adhesive strip (17) or an adhesive patch.

10. Paint filter according to the preceding claim, wherein the adhesive strip extends along the lower edge of the at least one side wall, wherein the adhesive strip extends in particular along the entire lower edge of the at least one side wall, in particular on the inner surface (57) of the at least one side wall.

11. Paint filter according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the adhesive strip is located at and / or along the upper edge of the paint filter.

12. Paint filter according to any of claims 7-11, wherein the adhesive and / or the adhesive tape (52) is covered with a removable film (18).

13. Paint filter according to any one claims 6-12, further having at least one side opening (19), located between the lower end opening and the upper end, the at least one side opening being covered with a mesh filter (9).

14. Paint filter according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one side opening is provided in the second wall part and not in the first wall part.

15. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the paint filter is movable between a collapsed state (20) and an open state (21), wherein in the collapsed state the paint filter is flat and the upper edge defines substantially no upper end opening, and wherein in the open state the paint filter is bulged and the upper edge defines the upper end opening.

16. Paint filter according to claim 15, wherein in the collapsed state the paint filter has a collapsed width between 5-16 cm, and a collapsed height between 3-9 cm.

17. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in a working, open state a width of the upper end opening is between 4-15, and a depth of the upper end opening is between 2-8 cm, and wherein the paint filter has a height between 3-9 cm.

18. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in a working, open state of the paint filter the upper end opening has an opening width and an opening depth, wherein the width is at least 2 times the depth.

19. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein in a working, open state the inner space has a substantially elliptical conical or elliptical frustoconical shape, or an eye-shaped conical or eye-shaped frustoconical shape.

20. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mesh filter has a first mesh size of between 125-190 micron, or wherein the mesh filter has a second mesh size of between 250 — 300 micron.

21. Paint filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall is made of a sheet material, in particular a paper sheet or a plastic sheet, and wherein the mesh filter is made of a nylon, wherein the mesh filter is sealed to the sheet material.

22. Combination (26) of a filter holder (27) and a paint filter according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the paint filter is supported by the filter holder, wherein the filter holder comprises a connecting member (28) configured to connect the filter holder to a paint container such that at least the lower end of the paint filter is located directly above or below an upper container opening (30) of the paint container.

23. Assembly (100) comprising a paint container (13) and a paint filter (1) according to any one of claims 1-21 , wherein the upper end of the paint filter is located above the lower end thereof, wherein the lower end of the paint filter is located directly above or below an upper container opening of the paint container.

24. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein, in top view,- a filter circumference of the upper end opening in open state is less than 50% of a container opening circumference of an upper container opening of the paint container, preferably less than 25%. and / or- an area of the upper end opening (7) at least partially enclosed by the upper edge (6) of the paint filter, in particular of the side wall (2), in the open state (21), is less than 50% of the area of the container opening (31), preferably less than 25%, more preferably less than 20%.

25. Assembly according to the claim 23 or 24, wherein the at least one side wall has an inner surface facing the inner space and an opposite, outer surface, the at least one side wall comprising the upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the at least one side wall is connected to an inner wall surface of a paint container via the lower edge of the at least one side wall, wherein the inner space is delimited by the inner surface of the at least one side wall and the inner wall surface of the paint container.

26. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the side wall is a single sheet comprising the upper edge and the lower edge, the single sheet having the inner surface and the opposite, outer surface, wherein the single sheet is connected to the inner wall surface of the paint container via the lower edge of the single sheet.

27. Assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the paint filter is movable between a collapsed state and an open state, wherein in the collapsed state the inner surface of the side wall extends parallel to the paint container, wherein in particular in the collapsed state the inner surface of the side wall contacts the inner wall surface of the paint container, and wherein in the open state the inner surfaceis located away from the inner wall surface of the paint container and the upper edge of the side wall partially defines the upper end opening.

28. Assembly according to any one of claims 23 - 27, wherein a part of the upper edge of the paint filter substantially contacts an inner rim and / or an inner wall surface of the paint container, the upper end opening extending from the inner rim and / or the inner wall surface into the container inner space of the paint container.

29. Assembly according to any one of claims 23 to 28 , wherein an inner surface and / or an outer surface of the at least one side wall is provided with an adhesive, wherein the paint filter is connected, in particular removably connected, to the inner rim and / or the inner wall surface of the paint container via the adhesive.

30. Assembly according to any one of claims 23-29, wherein the first side wall part of the paint filter extends parallel to the inner wall surface of the paint container.

31. Assembly according to any one of claims 23-30, wherein the paint container is a paint container bucket, or wherein the assembly further comprises a paint container bucket and the paint container is located inside the paint container bucket, the paint container bucket having a pivotable handle.

32. Assembly according to any one of claims 23-31 , wherein the paint container has an inner volume of between 1-12 Litre, preferably approximately 2,5 Litre.

33. Assembly according to any one of claims 23-28, 30-32, wherein the paint filter is integrally fixed to the paint container, for example via a heat seal.

34. Blank (38) for manufacturing a paint filter (1) according to any one of claims 1 , 4- 21, the blank having a first surface (39) and an opposite second surface (40), and comprising:- at least one first wall section (41),- at least one second wall section (42), wherein the at least one second wall section is delimited from the at least one first wall section at a first side (43) of the second wall section by a first fold line (44), wherein a mesh filter (9) is connected to the first wall section and / or the second wall section on the first surface of the blank.

35. Blank according to the preceding claim, comprising two first wall sections, wherein one first wall section is delimited from the second wall section at the first sidethereof by the first fold line, and wherein the other first wall section is delimited from the second wall section at an opposite, second side (45) thereof by a second fold line (46).

36. Blank according to claim 34 or 35, wherein the second wall section comprises at least one opening that is covered with the mesh filter sheet, wherein the at least first wall section is substantially free of an opening covered with a mesh filter sheet.

37. Blank according to any one of claims 34-36, wherein an adhesive is provided on the at least one first wall section, in particular on the second surface of the blank.

38. Method for filtering contaminated paint from a paint brush or paint roller, the method comprising: a) providing an assembly according to any one of the preceding assembly claims, b) providing paint, located in the paint container, on bristles of a paint brush or on a roller cover of a paint roller, c) removing contaminated paint from the bristles or the roller cover by wiping the bristles or roller cover along a part of an edge which is located vertically above the upper edge of the paint filter, whereafter the contaminated paint passes into the inner space at least partially enclosed by the paint filter, in particular by the upper edge of the at least one side wall, and subsequently through the mesh filter, thereby filtering contaminations from the contaminated paint.

39. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the upper end opening at least partially defined by the upper edge of the side wall extends from the inner rim or the inner wall surface into the container inner space of the paint container, wherein in step c) the edge along which the bristles or roller cover are wiped is the rim of the paint container.

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